Welcome, fellow parents, grandparents, and guardians concerned about a kid’s safety out there!
My name is Toby, and I’ll be your instructor and safety guide today as we go through hoverboard safety, learning to ride, and what you should watch out for to ensure your kids can ride their hoverboards safely and confidently.
As a dad of three who has been testing and riding electric rides for as long as they can remember, you’d think I’d be immune to the heart-stopping moments. But no, I still find myself panicking from time to time as they zoom by on everything from electric skateboards to scooters.
I think it is a chronic illnesses of being a parent. I won’t promise you that after reading this guide, you’ll let them ride off into the sunset without a worry in your heart. However, after years of repairing, selling, and testing hoverboards, on top of helping hundreds of kids learn to ride, I can promise that I have learned a thing or two that will definitely help reduce the stress levels.
Why Hoverboard Safety Matters
Toby’s Personal Anecdote
As someone who tests electric rides for a living, I’ve accumulated quite the collection of hoverboards over the years. All the kids on the street know this too, so there are plenty of times when I let them all ride together. This is a large responsibility on my part for their safety. I’d like to say that nobody has ever gotten a scraped knee, but that’s not the case.
Riding a hoverboard isn’t risk-free, especially when you’re just starting out. You can pretty much expect there to be an accident at some point in your riding career. The idea isn’t to wrap up the kids in bubble wrap. Instead I’ve learned that education and setting clear boundaries ahead of time has drastically reduced the risks. With time and practice, you’ll see how they become more and more stable.
In my experience the pupils that has had the easiest time learning have always been the kids. The difference between teaching an adult to ride compared to a child is pretty big.
Statistics and Facts
While I love hoverboards, and they are a bunch of fun, it would not be doing my due diligence if I did not provide some data on accidents so that you can be aware of the potential risks.
Here are some key statistics on hoverboard-related injuries:
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were approximately 26,854 emergency-treated injuries associated with hoverboards between 2015 and 2018.
- In the first year hoverboards were widely available (2015-2016), the CPSC received reports of 99 hoverboard-related fires, resulting in over $2 million in property damage.
- A study published in the journal Pediatrics found that fractures were the most common type of injury (40%), followed by contusions/abrasions (17%) and strains/sprains (13%).
- The same study reported that the wrist was the most frequently injured body part (19%), followed by the forearm (14%) and head (14%).
- Children aged 6-12 years old accounted for the highest percentage of injuries (39%), followed by adolescents aged 13-18 (33%).
Remember that this data is from the initial surge in hoverboard popularity, and safety standards have improved a ton since then. Hoverboard battery fires are almost unheard of today, and we can only assume that with all the new safety features like auto-balance and user modes, the stats today are far lower. However, these statistics still underscore the importance of safe operation and, above all, knowledge.
Preparations: Creating A Safe Riding Experience for Your Kids
Age-Appropriate Hoverboards
There are a lot of different models out there ranging in both size and performance. When I say size, I mainly refer to the model’s tire size; most available hoverboard models will range between 4.5″ up to 10″. The 6.5″ is the most commonly used model as it can be used by kids age 5 up to adults. It is important that you choose a model that will fit your kid’s age and experience. We have some great recommendations for child-friendly hoverboards, and the article also contains a step-by-step guide on what you should consider when buying.
Quality and Safety
In the early days of hoverboards, manufacturers and retailers alike wanted to capitalize on the popularity, putting safety and quality in the backseat. Luckily, thanks to great work by the Underwriters Laboratories, today we have specific guidelines that companies need to follow, and quality tests that need to be passed to ensure that the products are safe. You should not let your kids use a hoverboard that isn’t UL2272 certified. You’ll find this sparkling label usually located underneath your board.
Essential Safety Gear
Here are the safety gear I would strongly suggest you let your child wear before they start learning:
- Helmet – Must-have for any type of riding.
- Knee & Elbow Pads – Effective way to protect those little knees and elbows from bruises.
- Wrist Guard – Protects their wrists and hands from bruising/strains.
As they learn, you can be a bit more lenient, but then again accidents can happen at any time. Take it from someone who’s competed in Snowboarding/skateboarding since I was 12, and at 36, I am still pretty darn great at reducing any damage. But no matter how good you are at falling, you still get caught off guard.
Finding a Safe Riding Spot
Find a smooth and leveled patch of road, backyard where your kid can ride without having to worry about any external things like cars or obstacles. That way, they can put all their focus on getting to know their new ride instead.
Step-by-Step Process: How I Teach Kids to Ride Hoverboards
Everyone gets itchy and excited when there is a new toy involved; I am no exception to the rule. But it is very important to set the boundaries and explain what you expect off your child ahead of riding. Explain how a learning curve works; the keys to success is to have patience and to maneuver it using smooth and slow body realignments.
My typical pre-game speech goes something like this, feel free to steal it if you want:
A hoverboard is a very fun but powerful toy. It has two very strong motors that, although you control them, there is always a risk that you will make a mistake and it will just follow your lead.
No matter if it was intentional or not. Never play around with the hoverboard’s wheels, nor press the pressure pads with your hands. When the hoverboard is on, it is to be respected and used as instructed and intended.
The most important thing when riding a hoverboard is relaxing; a stiff body will lead to quick and harsh movement, which results in the same behavior from the hoverboard. Eventually, it will make you lose balance and throw you to the ground.
-Toby @Aridejunkie
Something I find to work really good is if I explain that if they don’t respect the process, the hoverboard will get placed on a high shelf in the garage until they do.
1. Balance and Control
You control a hoverboard by leaning, smoothly shifting the weight on your feet between your toes and your heels, making you go forward or backward. The first time they step on the hoverboard, make sure they relax their body and hold on lightly to your hand. This way, you can help them get on and off and instill reassurance that will help them relax. You can also aid them in case something goes south, which tends to be the case early on in the learning process. As they learn how the hoverboard behaves to their movement, you can lessen the grip. Eventually, you let them balance on their own with you still close by, able to grab them in case they panic or lose control.
2. Turning
As they start to gather confidence standing and balancing on the hoverboard, shifting their weight backward and forward to slowly learn how to ride, the time has come to learn how to turn. Turning can be done in two ways: either you shift your weight on one foot forward and the other backward, most beneficial when taking tight turns or if you want to do pirouettes. The second way is to put a little extra forward pressure on one foot. This will give you a smoother turn.
3. Practice practice practice
They just gotta keep on practicing. What I’ve learned is that they learn very quickly, which also means they get more comfortable and relaxed, something that often can lead to complacency. So stick around and make sure they keep on practicing safely by following your rules.
As their riding evolve, you can walk alongside them as they get to tackle new terrain. Just as they practiced on the smooth surface, now they need to learn how to handle the occasional pebble or crack in the asphalt without falling off. Keep at it; practice makes perfect!
Safe Riding Habits
We’re in the home stretch now! We just want to finish it of with some crucial habits your little hoverboard enthusiasts should develop:
- The 360° Check: Before hopping on, teach your kids to do a quick look around to spot any obstacles, people, or pets nearby. This habit can prevent many unexpected collisions!
- The Slow-Mo Start: Encourage them to always start slow. It’s not a race, and those first few seconds are crucial for finding their balance.
- The No-Distraction Zone: This one’s a biggie – no phones, no headphones, no snacks while riding. Full attention should be on the ride and everything around them.
- The Traffic Dodger: Busy streets are a definite no-go. Stick to sidewalks (where allowed), and parks.
- The Weather Watcher: Rainy day? Maybe leave the hoverboard in the garage.
- The Buddy System: Get them to ride with a friend. It’s more fun, and they can look out for each other.
Supervision and Boundaries
Now, I know what you’re thinking – “Toby, how long do I need to hover around my hovering child?” Well, here’s my two cents:
For beginners (especially the younger ones), always stick close by. For the rest as they gain confidence and show that they can follow the safety rules set in place, you can give them some more independence. But remember, every child is different and you know your kid the best.
As for boundaries, here’s what’s worked for me:
- Set clear “ride zones” – areas where they’re allowed to ride.
- Establish “no-go zones” – avoid busy streets, steep hills, or areas with lots of people.
- Set a time limit for riding – this helps prevent fatigue, which can sometime lead to accidents.
- Create a check-in system – have them check in at set intervals.
Remember, these boundaries aren’t about restricting fun. It is all about creating a safe riding experience for them to enjoy their hoverboard to the fullest!
Conclusion
That got way longer than I had initially planned for. But since it is about kids and their safety you wanna make sure you cover all the bases. Now we’ve covered everything from choosing the right hoverboard to mastering the art of riding.
Look, I totally understand that as parents, we’ll always worry, it comes with the job. But my hope is that you go away from this feeling relieved that you now have the knowledge and capacity to make their riding as fun and safe as possible.
Remember, falls will happen. Scrapes and bruises are part of childhood. So, strap on their helmet, and get ready to watch your little ones zoom through the backyard in no-time. Who knows? You might even find yourself wanting to give it a try. And if you do, well, you know the drill. Safety first!
Happy hovering, everyone!
